Wednesday, August 22, 2007

It was such a bittersweet day. We got Jenna all moved into her new dorm - and she got one of the best on campus, one of the few with air conditioning! As we looked out at the other dorms around her with fans in the window and temps in the 90's and horrid humidity, I was so glad she had this one! The kids we passed from the other ones were just like wet noodles! Her dorm was the first of the dorms to be renovated. So furniture, paint, carpet and air are all new this fall. Any way - I sidetracked - we got her all moved in and met one of her 2 roommates. She shoved us out the door ready to begin college. Course as a mom I hated to leave! I wanted to partake in all the new fun! But Mark pulled me into the car and off we went 6 hours home. She didn't seem sad at all that I was leaving, and swore she would not miss me. Holly says to wait - once she has to start doing everything herself she will miss me! Was that cool of her to say! I miss Holly too!

So the only bright spot of our trip home was I made Mark stop at that really cool rest area dedicated to the underground railroad! This time I took pics on my phone! So here are a few pictures of it. I'll share more tomorrow.

Top picture is to the left of the entrance, Quilt blocks in the side of the outer wall. And below that picture is the right. A closeup of one of the outer wall quilt blocks. And in the entrance way to the rest area are quilt blocks with their names in the tile floor! More pics tomorrow......

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comments from wonderful readers:

She'll miss you. Can't necessarily tell you that, but she will. No a/c in all that humidity? argh. I was worried about not having a/c here but it hasn't been too much of a problem this year with all the rain and coldness. that is a cool rest stop - you didn't say where it was (or else I'm a goober who reads too fast...).

I can't imagine leaving a kid at college in another state. I am just freaking out about taking the little one to preschool in a few weeks. :) Glad you had a safe trip. I know she will miss you. I was all fired up about going to college and then two weeks later I was calling my mom crying and begging to come home.

Glad to hear the trip went well - there is peace of mind just knowing what the new surroundings look like. Such good news that she got in the renovated dorm . . . a/c! WooHoo *s* What a neat rest stop. Can't wait to see more.

Hang in there! My kids came home from college every single chance they got. Sometimes I think it was just to do their laundry and get some food, but I still got to visit with them! After a few weeks of independence, I bet your daughter will be wanting to come home for a long weekend! You will appreciate each other all the more for the separation.That rest stop is amazing.

I have seen that rest stop before... maybe here, last year? Hmmm... well, I am sure that she'll miss you- but everything is going to be so new and exciting for her- and then she'll miss the old and dull...hey, not you! Just HOME! Kids! Well, look on the bright side... more time to sew! And you can have all kinds of fun making up goodie boxes! I was the coolest kid in my dorm because my Mom used to send me these amazing goodie boxes- all decorated up with drawings of witches hanging ghosts on the line- laundry-ish. That was my favorite one. And then she always put in enough gum and mints and such for all my friends. Time will fly and then it'll be mid-term! So enjoy!

She WILL miss you. Tons. Especially when she realizes that you are 6 hours away. It's amazing how long it takes them to get it through their heads that they're on their own. Give her about 2 weeks, you won't believe your phone bill!

That rest stop is absolutely beautiful! I can't believe you took the photos with your phone - they are such marvelous gadgets nowadays, aren't they? Your daughter will definitely miss you - it does take awhile for the new life to sink in, before the old one raises it's head, asking to be gazed upon.